What Comes First: Search Engines or Customers?

My online marketing strategies have historically weighted customers and search engines about the same. You can’t have one without the other. But ever since pandas, penguins, and hummingbirds invaded Google, search engine optimization (SEO) has changed a lot, especially with local search results for SMBs.

While still important, keyword research and descriptive titles are not enough. Social media plays by its own rules. Mobile is rapidly shifting online search from global to local.

Small businesses today need to favour customers and listen to what is being said on social channels and review sites. They need to have a mobile presence and monitor their local listings. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Enter Online Reputation Management

Anything online that can affect your reputation falls under online reputation management. Good content? User-friendly, mobile-friendly websites? Presence on review sites or social media? All of these things count towards your reputation online.